High heat: Spain clocks prelim record of 47.2 C (116.96 F)
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By JENNIFER O’MAHONY
Associated Press
MADRID (AP) — Spain has set a new provisional heat record of 47.2 degrees Celsius (116.96 Fahrenheit) in Montoro, Cordoba, in the southern Andalusia region. The development came Saturday as Southern Europe sweltered under a relentless summer sun. If confirmed, that exceeds the country’s previous record of 46.9 degrees Celsius (116.42 Fahrenheit) set in the same area in July 2017. Italian authorities, meanwhile, put 16 cities on high alert for health risks and Portugal warned 75% of its regions that they faced a significantly increased risk of wildfires. Earlier this week, Sicily reported a temperature of 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.84 Fahrenheit), which if verified would be the highest-ever recorded in Europe.